This investigation has been launched in the wake of
a request from Denmark to be allowed to give dredging and cable-laying companies
the right to benefit from an aid scheme which has until now been reserved for
seagoing ships registered in the Danish International Shipping (DIS) register.
The scheme exempts shipowners from having to pay income tax and social security
contributions for the seafarers they employ.

The Commission has doubts about whether the laying of cables at sea can be
regarded as a maritime transport activity. This question is an important one,
because the Community guidelines on State aid for maritime transport limit such
aid schemes to maritime transport activities.

It also wonders whether all dredging activities constitute maritime transport
activities, and therefore whether they are eligible for maritime transport aid,
as the Danish authorities consider.

The Commission is of the opinion that "maritime transport" should be
interpreted strictly, in the light of Community law, as recently stated in the
judgment of the Court of Justice of 11 January 2007 in Case C-251/04
CommissionvGreece.

That is why the Commission has initiated an investigation into the extension
of the aid scheme to cover dredging and cable-laying activities at sea.